Carol was able to raise important issues with Members of Parliament and the House of Lords. She raised the increase in National Insurance with each MP she spoke to, and also the increase in poverty and the impact this has on families in our Yorkshire communities.

The parliamentary reception was a great opportunity to showcase the great work undertaken by members of the Caritas Social Action Network which represents:

• 51 members (Catholic charities and organisations in England and Wales)
• 4,700 staff employed by member charities
• 14,300 volunteers
• £484 million total expenditure by CSAN members

Carol commented: “It is important that political leaders are aware of our work. Many MPs, civil servants and policymakers are unaware of the scale and impact of Catholic social action. Events such as today encourage a greater awareness.”

Every constituency is affected by poverty, housing insecurity, and social exclusion. Church charities in England and Wales are actively responding to these challenges across the country through frontline services and personal support which reaches hundreds of thousands of people.

Photos © Mazur/cbcew.org.uk